Baliwag is Bulacan’s fourth city

BALIWAG, Bulacan, Philippines — Another component city has been added to Bulacan, bringing the total number to four.

This developed after the affirmative votes won in a plebiscite intended to convert the town of Baliwag into a city.

John Rex Laudiangco, spokesman for the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said a total of 17,814, or 75.6 percent voted “yes” for the ratification of Republic Act 11929, which was signed on July 30.

Only 5,702 or 24.19 percent of the 23,562 total voters were against the cityhood of Baliwag.

“The dreams of the Baliwageños to fortify their development and growing economy of their municipality has become a reality as the town is now known as the city of Baliwag,” Laudiangco said in a statement.

Copies of the certificate of canvas of votes and proclamation by the municipal plebiscite board of canvassers were submitted to the records and statistics department of the Comelec, office of the election officer of Baliwag, secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and office of the municipal mayor.

Baliwag Comelec officer Edna Gener proclaimed the ratification of the plebiscite for the cityhood of Baliwag at past 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Baliwag Mayor Ferdie Estrella thanked his constituents for joining the plebiscite. Estrella said the cityhood of Baliwag would be his legacy to the people. – Mayen Jaymalin